Mugo: It's illegal to detain mothers

By Elizabeth Mwai

The Government has directed public health centres to release all women who have been detained for failing to pay maternity fees.

Public Health and Sanitation Minister Beth Mugo reiterated the Government’s directive issued in May 2007 waiving all maternity fees in public hospitals and urged the health institutions to adhere to the orders.

Mugo said it was the Government’s policy that delivery is free in all public hospitals.

The minister also criticised public hospitals which force newborn babies to stay in dehumanising conditions because their mothers could not afford to clear their bills.

The Government has also directed that medical services for children under the age of five should also be offered free of charge.

"Any public facility charging mothers to deliver and medical care for children under five years is breaking the law," said Mugo.

Speaking during the launch of the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality (Carmma) at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, the minister urged women to hold Government to account on making delivery of children free.

Among the most notorious hospitals that have been in the limelight for detaining mothers and their babies for failing to pay after delivery charges include Kenyatta National Hospital and Pumwani Maternity Hospital.

"Women, if we hear there are mothers who have been detained in hospitals for failing to pay the costs of delivery, let’s make a lot of noise and get them out," said Mugo.

The cost of delivery and attitude of health workers have seen many pregnant women opt to deliver at home under unskilled care to avoid the hustle.

The minister also warned public institutions to desist from mistreating newborns by ‘forcing’ them to sleep on the floor simply because their mothers have not paid hospital bills.

The minister noted that the Government has not done enough to avert maternal mortality, which remains high.

Unacceptably High

In a speech read on her behalf by Special Programmes Minister Esther Murugi, First Lady Lucy Kibaki said despite the progress made to avert maternal mortality, the death rate was still unacceptably high.

Lucy said newborn death rate has remained relatively unchanged. "A lot more needs to be done if we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goal target to reduce maternal deaths by 75 per cent," said Lucy.

She said with five years left to the MDG goals deadline, Kenya needs to accelerate implementation of priority actions towards reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality.

She said the survival and well-being of mothers and children was key in attainment of sustainable development.

Housing Assistant Minister Bishop Margaret Wanjiru said her constituents have been suffering due to the high cost of delivery.

"Last week I had to pay for women who had delivered to be released from KNH and Pumwani," said Wanjiru.

She said the move to make delivery free would see more women deliver in hospitals where they can be safe.